Spatial Design Studio I: Semester Two

Project (Part 1): Bathing

Visiting the Site

Our site for this project is the Dadley building – AUT Campus, on Mount St. This was the former Spatial Design building of AUT. The Dadley building will eventually be demolished. Our brief is to design a bathhouse for the basement of the Dadley building and creating a forest for the site in small groups.…

About the Dadley Building Site

Te Aranga Design Values Rangatiratanga: Chieftainship right to exercise authority. Kotahitanga: Unity, togetherness. Kaitiakitanga: Guardianship and stewardship. Wairuatanga: Spirituality. Manaakitanga: Hospitality, kindness. Whanaungatanga: Relationship/Sense of family connection. Matauranga: Knowledge/Wisdom. The Ngati Whatua have rangatiratanga over the whole of the AUT site, including the Dadley building, and I acknowledge that they are the hosts of this…

Pocket Forest Modelling

I have decided that my pocket forest will consist mainly of New Zealand native trees, such as Rimu, Kauri, Kowhai, Totara and Nikau. Each tree are very different looking and the sizes of the trees can vary from small to very tall. The native birds I have chosen to include in my pocket forest are…

Group Site Model

Our group started on the model by going to Albert Park and collecting different live materials to use for the pocket forest. (Eg. moss, leaves, sticks, bark, rocks, dirt, gravel.)Specific individuals of the group had kindly brought recycled cardboard boxes from their homes, which we used for the base of our site. Some of us…

Chosen Precedent

The Therme Vals Spa was designed by Peter Zumthor and first opened in 1996. Therme Vals is located in Switzerland. I am intrigued by Zumthor’s aesthetically pleasing interior and how slits of light shine through the space making it very calming and beautiful. As my theme is about reflection and light I thought his concept…

Model Development

My first attempt at making a quick model of my idea was pretty basic. I was inspired by how Zumthor played with the light and reflection in his bathhouse and started off by adding feature walls in the space. In my development of my draft concept model, I continue to make new additions. Above are…

Proposed Drawings

My forest consists of rimu, kauri, totara, nikau and kowhai trees.

Proposed Model

My final model communicates the themes that I had worked with throughout my design development, which were: reflection of bodies and space, and light. To achieve the reflections in my design I used materials like mirror and transparent PVC plastic. When deciding on light conditions I was heavily influenced by Zumthor’s ‘Therme Vals’ Spa. When…

Blissful Bathing Experience

My favourite bathing experience is taking a dip the hot spa pool at night, in the Winter time. The feeling of the cold breeze in my face while my body submerged in the steaming water is one of my favourite feelings. There is something especially special for me about looking at water in the night…

Pepeha

Kia ora and Talofa Lava, Ko Orakei te maunga Ko Nga Puna o Waiorea te roto Ko Upolu te motu No Tamaki Makaurau ahau Ko Madalena toku ingoa

Project (Part 2): bathing

Researching Materials

For the materials of my model, I want to have neutral feel to the atmosphere for the walls and columns and then something more quirky like reflected surfaces for the feature walls and ceiling. For the main building I am considering using grey/black porcelain tile and stone, as I want the whole basement of the…

Pocket Forest Research

This project celebrates the planting of the native forest and using the water to make this connection to nature. This falls under the core value of Kaitiakitanga which means “managing and conserving the environment as part of a reciprocal relationship, based on the Maori world view that we as humans are part of the natural…

Details to Consider for Light, Water and Air

Lighting Main pool:Natural lighting is important for the main pool area and large windows provide this. There is also artificial lighting (concealed LED strips) built in to the prism ceiling. Dark pool:I will have LED lighting running along the underside of all the bench seats, projecting a light path on the ground, to guide people…

Digital Process Research

Below are tutorials that that helped me with drawing up my 3D model on Rhino.

Draft Digital Drawings + Rhino Process

Rendered Perspective Takes Water and Darkness Light Warped reflected Surfaces Connection with the Forest Above are the finished rendered perspective views of my Rhino model. My last step is to choose my best shots and use Photoshop to brighten certain images, add details and figures. I am quite pleased with the outcome of my rendering…

Digital Perspectives + Site Drawings

Perspectives PLan 1 entry, reception and threshold 2 dark pool3 infinite reflection water ramp 4 main pool5 dark private spa6 light private spa 7 refreshment terrace 8 changing cubicles9 restrooms and cleaning cupboard Sections Site context